Continuous Casting of Small-size Austenitic Stainless Steel Billets

Abstract

A process was established in which AOD-refined austenitic stainless steel melts produced from homemade molten ferronickel and ferrochromium as main raw materials were continuously cast into smallsize billets of 115 to 175 mm square. The billets were then rolled into wire rods, round bars, etc. in a single heating manner.
This paper deals with the following factors contributing to obtaining very sound small-size billets.
1) The mold level control system employing a sliding nozzle.
2) The non-oxidation casting comprizing of a long nozzle and a powder casting.
3) The electromagnetic stirring.
The causes and prevention of billet defects generated in the continuous casting of difficult-to-cast grades, Ti containing SUS 321, Cu containing XM7 and fully austenitic SUS 310, were also discussed.